A Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson duet is on the cards despite not appearing on new MJ album XSCAPE, says Epic Records chairman and XSCAPE executive producer, L.A. Reid.

While Slave 2 The Rhythm – the never-before-released MJ track featuring Biebs that surfaced online last August – has vanished into YouTube history, L.A. says there’s good reason why it didn’t appear on Michael’s posthumous album.

"Slave 2 The Rhythm didn't include him per my direction,” says L.A. “If it hadn't been leaked, it would have been featured but it sort of took the wrong turn. But you know what? We're gonna revisit that and do something really special with Justin Bieber and Michael.

"I signed Justin, so I feel a loyalty. I feel like I should protect him. That's my relationship with him."

A solo version of Slave 2 The Rhythm appears on XSCAPE, alongside seven other unreleased tracks, including Love Never Felt So Good, a duet with Justin Timberlake.

XSCAPE was released on Monday and looks set to go straight to number one in the UK album charts this Sunday.

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